Oakwood University Magazine Spring 2011

MAGAZINE
SPRING 2011
Drs. Leslie and
Prudence Pollard

A Message from the Editor
Oakwood in Transition
The year 2010 was marked with transitions for Oakwood University—transitions
that came in the form of major facility renovations and, eventually, new
leadership. This issue examines some of those transitions, although, even as
this publication goes to press, we are in the midst of still further shifts as we
conclude the 2006-2011 Constituency Meeting and the University’s Board
of Trustees prepares to meet for its annual spring session, all of which will be
covered in our next issue. These changes mean fresh ideas, new insights, and
a recommitment to the institution’s goals, mission, and vision.
Also in this issue, we look at Oakwood’s participation at the General Conference
2010 Session that was held in Atlanta, Ga., and at the election of
OU’s 10th president, Delbert W. Baker, to vice presidential service for the
Seventh-day Adventist World Church. His appointment to that new post
instigated Oakwood’s presidential search for its next CEO. We’ll examine
the highly involved search process that spanned approximately four months,
under the interim presidency of Dr. Mervyn A. Warren, and the final vote of
the Board that led to the naming of Oakwood’s 11th president, Dr. Leslie N.
Pollard.
We welcome our new president and first lady, Drs. Leslie and Prudence
Pollard, as they return to lead our institution to its next rung of excellence
in higher education. At a time when many historically black colleges and
universities (HBCUs) are perishing or experiencing a sharp decline in enrollment,
we are thankful to God for His divine guidance and wisdom through
the selection of our leaders—leaders who come highly qualified and are committed
to the completion of His work. We also recognize the unique role
that Oakwood, as an HBCU, continues to play in the nurture and preparation
of our young people for service to God and humanity.
Michele A. Solomon, Executive Editor
2 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

SPRING 2011
MAGAZINE
Oakwood University
Magazine
EDITORIAL STAFF
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: MICHELE SOLOMON
ASSISTANT EDITOR: DEBBE MILLET
ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER: JERRY ROSS
STUDENT WRITER: ASHLEY BATISTE
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
EDWARD GOODMAN, IV
JASON MOORE
MATTHEW-LEE MORGAN
FRED PULLINS
ROLAND SCOTT, CAPTURED MOMENTS
_____________________________
CONSULTING EDITORS
Bill Cleveland
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Timothy McDonald, Ed.D.
ADVANCEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
Rachel Williams-Smith, Ph.D.
ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION
_____________________________
OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION
Leslie N. Pollard, Ph.D.
PRESIDENT
Mervyn A. Warren, Ph.D.
PROVOST AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
John Anderson, Ph.D.
VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Sabrina Cotton, M.Acc., C.P.A.
VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
Patricia Stewart Daniel, M.A.
VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT SERVICES
Timothy McDonald, Ed.D.
VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT AND
DEVELOPMENT
______________________________
Oakwood University Magazine
_____________________________
OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
Address editorial correspondence
-
table of contents
2 Editorial
4
Presidential Search Process
President’s Job Description
10 OU at GC 2010 – a pictorial
11
14 OU Recognizes Leaders in Service with New
Facilities
Commencement 2010 – a pictorial
20
Program
22
24 In Memoriam
Mission Statement:
Oakwood University, a historically Black Seventh-day Adventist
institution of higher learning, provides quality Christian education
that emphasizes academic excellence; promotes harmonious
development of mind, body, and spirit; and prepares leaders in
service for God and humanity.
Miss Oakwood and Miss UNCF
24
30
4
16
11
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 3

Getting to Know
Oakwood's
New President
Drs. Leslie and Prudence Pollard
4 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

“
We worked very, very hard to find a gifted and
qualified candidate, and we found one—one of the best—
Dr. Leslie Pollard….It is a good time for Oakwood University.
”
By Michele Solomon
The Oakwood University Board of Trustees voted Leslie N.
Pollard, Ph.D., D.Min., M.B.A., the 11th president of Oakwood
University on November 1, 2010, following several hours of
prayerful deliberation in all-day, closed-door sessions. Mervyn
A. Warren, Ph.D., who was voted interim president at the end
of the 2010 General Conference session, served in that capacity
since August 1.
The final vote was the culmination of a meticulous process.
A formal presidential search committee worked diligently with
a professional consulting firm to comb through all 24 confirmed
applications that had been under consideration since the search
team officially began its work in August. The committee was
comprised of representatives from Oakwood’s Board of Trustees,
administration, faculty, staff, and students. It hosted four
separate campus forums in the week preceding the Board’s Fall
Session, to allow faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni,
and members of the local community to pose their questions
and concerns directly to the three final candidates and become
more engaged in the how the selection process works.
The Board also met with the final candidates on Oakwood’s
campus as part of its regularly scheduled Fall Session. General
Conference president Ted Wilson, who serves as the interim
chair of the Oakwood University Board of Trustees, made the
official announcement to the press that evening, following the
conclusion of the Board session.
Pollard was one of three finalists for the presidential seat
vacated in July when former president Delbert W. Baker, Ph.D.,
accepted the nomination as one of nine general vice presidents
of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church. Pollard assumed
his new position as the 11th president of Oakwood University
on January 3, 2011.
Asked to comment on the overall presidential search process,
Elder Wilson said, “We had three very fine candidates
who were shared by the search committee with the board. We
prayed earnestly prior to the vote...and asked for the Holy Spirit’s
guidance.” Vice chair Doris Gothard added, “We worked
very, very hard to find a gifted and qualified candidate, and we
found one—one of the best—Dr. Leslie Pollard….It is a good
time for Oakwood University. It’s a wonderful experience when
an institution can have one of its own come home, and so we
welcome him.”
For the first time in the institution’s presidential selection
process, Oakwood allowed its student body to interview
each of the three finalists and to express their concerns during
a separate forum. Asked to give her reaction to this student
platform, interview subcommittee chair Cherryl Galley,
Ph.D., stated, “The opportunity was greatly appreciated. Interest
was shown in the candidates’ visions for the institution,
spiritual enhancement, student scholarships, and academic
growth.” Galley is an associate professor in the Department
of Psychology at Oakwood.
A one-on-one interview with the then presidential candidate
just days prior to the final vote revealed his commitment
to excellence and his vision for the university. What follows
are his responses to some of the questions excerpted from that
interview.
MS: What do you view as Oakwood’s greatest strengths as an
institution in today’s higher education arena?
LP: Oakwood has a number of strengths that we can leverage.
First is the incredible spiritual passion of Oakwood University.
It’s everywhere, and all you’ve got to do is live in some
other place where it’s not as visible. So, the spiritual strength
of Oakwood, its history is an amazing resource, the founding
of the institution is an incredible resource, its connection to
the HBCU [historically black colleges and universities] community,
its connection to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
When you think about HBCUs in this very tough recessionary
period, they’re either struggling or going under. There’s a
story to be told about the benefit of Oakwood, as an HBCU,
being connected to a globally-sponsored world church of Seventh-day
Adventists. That’s a story that’s waiting to be told.
(There are HBCUs that have lost their accreditation.) Those
are just some of its strengths—its dedicated, highly-respected
faculty. Then, there is the student body. I think all of these are
strengths.
MS: What do you consider Oakwood’s greatest resources to
be, natural and/or human?
LP: First of all, the greatest natural resource is location—deep
South, here in Huntsville, a growing city, almost an idyllic
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 5

location, just perfect—so I think that’s a great natural resource.
Our connection to the Huntsville community and
the support that we enjoy—that’s a great civic resource. Human
resources would be the personnel, the staff. We have a
very dedicated staff, and we need to tell them that more….
That’s an area where we could strengthen the organization.
The staff needs to hear that they are appreciated for all their
hard work.
MS: What really motivated you to apply for the position of
Oakwood University president?
LP: Part of what attracts me is that I was nominated by a
number of people, repeatedly. Secondly, the potential for
doing good is so great here at Oakwood that in my leadership
this would be, I think, a natural place to use the training that
God has given me across the last 25 years. To be equipped
in ministry, in management, in leadership, that’s a wonderful
combination, and to give that back to Oakwood, the place
that formed me, would be a wonderful honor. I think about
it as a stewardship.
MS: In what particular area do you think Oakwood could
broaden its horizons?
LP: I think Oakwood is missing an opportunity in the international
market. By that I mean, one opportunity we have is
to grow an online delivery system for education….It’s high income,
lower expense. That could be in the form of an online
university, but we’re missing a great opportunity. We need to
keep a high residential program, but maybe [add] Oakwood
Online University—OU and OOU.
MS: How do you think we can encourage greater cultural diversity
on our campus?
LP: First of all, we have to tell our story. We have to explain
that our historic mission to African Americans is an inclusive
mission. It’s not an exclusive mission. So, we’ll keep
that historic mission. It’s in the very founding of Oakwood
that it was to reach a population that had been marginalized.
The sociology of the black community, here and around the
world, that’s still true. We must keep that, and yet we must
also create on campus a welcoming environment for others
who wish to come to Oakwood. So then, we say, “Yes, this is
“My personal vision has a number of
elements to it. One is that Oakwood
would be the premier university in
the Huntsville community and in
the Seventh-day Adventist Church
by the year 2020.”
an HBCU, and you are welcome to participate in that experience.
And we will honor your experience.” So if we think
about Oakwood as a big tent, then we can welcome a variety
of cultural groups onto the campus, and be supportive of
them in their particular cultures. So organize a Latino club,
which I think we already have, now. I met the president of
that [organization] a few days ago, down in Florida. I think
he called it OLA—Oakwood Latino Association. That is so
promising, and it’s so exciting. So, yes, we can do more. We
can support, nurture, and sustain the diversity that we have
on campus.
MS: I know that each president has a very unique course that
they would like to chart for the institution. What legacy
would you hope to leave behind as Oakwood’s next president?
LP: I’d like to leave behind a highly secure, a financially secure
organization that has grown in every area with a student
body of probably 5,000 students, and an international, online
university for another 1,500 international students. I’d
like to leave behind a legacy of care and nurture for the faculty,
staff, and students of Oakwood.
MS: Finally, what is your personal vision for Oakwood University?
LP: My personal vision has a number of elements to it. One
is that Oakwood would be the premier university in the
Huntsville community and in the Seventh-day Adventist
Church by the year 2020. By premier, I mean that all of Oak-
6 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

wood’s operations, as well as its initiatives, are undergirded
by a strong commitment to quality. Today, in health care,
there’s a big, strong push around quality initiatives, and it’s
also working in higher education. So, part of my vision is
to lift Oakwood to that premier level. I think we’re doing
excellent work right now, but the difference between excellent
and premier has to do with the quality initiatives that
would define the institution. Oakwood would be the leader
in international affiliations, especially around the Pan-African
consortium of Afro-American, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-
Latino, and Continental-African SDA universities. I’d love
to see Oakwood be in that kind of sisterhood network. I’d
love to see the diversity. I’d love to see DEEP [Diversity Education
Exchange Program] be matched with DEFT—Diversity
Exchange Faculty Teaching—so that in the summers, our
faculty can be exchanged in places like Trinidad, Tobago, Jamaica,
Haiti, Nigeria, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, Uganda,
Tanzania, and other places to do teaching at sister institutions
and to get those kinds of experiences. I’d also love to see
the master’s programs grow…and that would mean, of course,
we’d need to upgrade our library resources as we undertake
broader and broader master’s programs.
Pollard’s commitment to excellence is evidenced in his
own educational pursuits. He earned his undergraduate degree
from Oakwood University and an M.Div. degree from
the SDA Theological Seminary at Andrews University, after
which he earned the D.Min. degree in Preaching and Worship
from Claremont School of Theology. Seeking higherlevel
fiscal and administrative development, Pollard earned
an M.B.A. in Organizational Management from the La Sierra
University School of Business. His last earned degree was
the Ph.D. in New Testament Language and Literature, with
a specialization in apocalyptic literature, which he received
from Andrews University.
Pollard’s 32 years of leadership reflect local, national,
and international service. He has served as senior pastor, a
youth pastor, a university chaplain, a health care program administrator,
and an educational administrator at Loma Linda
University. As a clergyman, Pollard pastored the Oakwood
University Church (formerly Oakwood College Church)
from 1994 to 1997, and has functioned as an evangelist,
professor, ministerial educator, and leadership development
facilitator to the General Conference family. He regularly
leads denominational and non-denominational leadership
and mission conferences all over the world.
The president’s orientation to fiscal leadership emerges
from his experience as senior pastor of major congregations,
from administering university budgets and grants, and
from his graduate business education. Pollard views chiefexecutive
leadership as a team-based collaboration between
executive team members. For him, servant leadership accomplishes
both the mission-related and financial goals of the
organization, through the careful placement of committed
people, the diligent monitoring of organizational processes,
and the implementation of data-driven initiatives and strategies.
Leadership development of his colleagues is an active
passion, and Pollard’s commitment to racial, cultural, and
gender inclusiveness has been internationally received and affirmed.
Pollard, 54, is a productive writer, speaker, and engaged
scholar on the subjects of leadership, cultural competence,
and mission. He is editor and contributing author to the
volume on leadership and cultural competence entitled Embracing
Diversity: How to Understand and Reach People of
All Cultures. Since its publication, Embracing Diversity has
been translated into Spanish, German, and French, and has
become a global text for trans-cultural leadership education.
Pollard also writes regularly for the Adventist Review and
Ministry magazines. He is a member of the editorial board of
the Journal of Applied Christian Leadership of Andrews University.
In addition, Pollard has published numerous articles
and authored several book chapters on the subjects of leadership,
cultural competence, and mission.
Leslie Pollard has been married to the former Prudence
LaBeach for 31 years. Prudence holds a Master of Public
Health degree and a Ph.D. in Evaluation, Measurement, and
Research Design from Western Michigan University. Additionally,
the Pollards have received numerous acknowledgments
across their 32 years of denominational service and
were honored in April of 2009 with the Oakwood Alumni
Association’s Certificate of Merit and are both lifetime members
of the Oakwood University National Alumni Association.
They are the parents of two daughters, Kristin and
Karin, who are both graduates of Oakwood University.
Inaugural events will be announced later in the year.
Michele Solomon serves as the director of Public Relations at
Oakwood University.
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 7

OU Presidential Search
Committee Process
1. The Board of Trustees approved the selection of
the Search Committee on July 2, 2010.
2. The Search Committee had a target completion
of 120 days to conclude its work and give
the OU Board of Trustees regular Search
Committee updates on progress.
3. Oakwood University approved a Search
Committee Budget.
4. Before the search commenced, the chair of the
Search Committee requested the budget for:
• Administrative Secretary (20 Hrs/wk:
Period 6-Months) and administrative
support services.
• Dedicated Executive Conference Call Line
for all Search Committee Meetings.
• Travel, as required.
• Purchase of ACG Resource Documents for
Search Committee.
• Retention of an Executive Search
Consultant Firm to assist in the Search
Process.
• Writing/Modifying the OU President Job
Description.
• Writing the Search Process.
• Writing the Terms of Reference.
• Writing the Schedule for completing the
search task within 120 Days.
5. The job description for the President of
Oakwood University job opening was posted
on the internet and in printed publications.
6. The chair recommended (to the Search
Committee) a small group of three to four
Search Committee members to create the
above-mentioned documents.
7. The chair recommended to the Search
Committee that the services of an internal/
external executive search consulting firm be
retained to facilitate the OU presidential search
process, field/vet all résumés and referral names
based upon job requirements, and confirm each
candidate’s interest in the posted position.
8. Regular conference call meetings were
scheduled for the Search Committee.
9. Search Committee on-campus meetings
at Oakwood University were scheduled, as
required.
10. After the search period closed, the search
committee/external executive search firm
consultant reviewed multiple candidate names
and profiles. As a mode of operation, the
search committee/external executive search
consultant met, via telephone conference
call meetings, to plan, discuss and execute:
(a) the general conduct of the search, (b) any
concerns about the process or executive search
consultant, and (c) any other issues or concerns
of which the Board of Trustees (BOT) should
have been aware.
11. Background investigations were requested on
the top five (5) candidate names.
12. Before the final Search Committee Report was
submitted to the Board of Trustees, the Search
Committee held a formal teleconference to
discuss the top five candidate names and BI
reports.
13. After the Search Committee had completed
its determination of the top three (3) from the
top five (5) candidate names, an opportunity
was provided to meet with each candidate,
by a group of the search committee/executive
search consultant, via teleconference, or at an
off-campus airport location, to interview the
candidates.
14. Top three (3) candidate names were confirmed.
15. A copy of the search results and BI’s on the
final top three (3) candidate names were
distributed to all members of the search
committee and Board of Trustees, at least 10
days before the Board meeting, where the final
Search Committee Report was presented to
the BOT, and on-campus interviews of each
candidate were conducted by the BOT; a final
vote was executed by the BOT for the next OU
president.
16. On November 1, 2010, the BOT made the final
selection for the OU President from the names
recommended by the Search Committee.
8 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

Job Summary
JOB DESCRIPTION
Oakwood University President
She is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees and
is responsible to the Board for overall administration of the University.
This position also calls for a person who has the ability to analyze complex
issues, make decisions, and manage multiple responsibilities in a high-volume,
diverse working environment. The president is a member of the faculty and
carries out the policies and programs established by the Board of Trustees.
The president provides the spiritual, administrative, and academic leadership
for Oakwood University. The president has primary responsibility for
personnel, programs, budgets, and fundraising. The president represents and
speaks for the University before the Board of Trustees and to all public and
private agencies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Direct the implementation of the
directives of the Board of Trustees.
• Serve as the secretary of the Board of
Trustees.
• Provide institutional and fundraising
leadership for the University and be
an advocate for Seventh-day Adventist
Christian education.
•
for the University.
• Promote the recognition and the public
awareness of Oakwood University.
• Actively promote and demonstrate
support of the programs of the Alumni
Association as
a means of strengthening the
University/Association relationship,
while facilitating growth in alumni
membership recruitment.
• Manage the accreditation process to
Association of Universities and
Schools.
• Foster an atmosphere of shared
governance where SDA principles of
Christian education are central to
university life.
• Develop, present, and manage the
annual budget of the University.
• Recommend to the Board of
Trustees the appointment of the
University.
• Render an annual comprehensive
report that includes the annual
• Preside at and conduct public
commencements and convocations, and
confer degrees.
• Serve as the chairperson of the
faculty, Administrative Advisory
Council, and the President’s Council.
• Ensure a timely response to all
queries of the administration made
by members of the Board of Trustees.
• Recommend to the Board appointments
of faculty.
•
• Appoint other administrators below
the rank of vice president.
• Appoint, promote, reassign,
discipline, or terminate employees
and other administrators within
the policies of the North American
Division Working Policy, the General
Conference Working Policy, and/or
the Oakwood University Faculty and
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 9

10 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

Oakwood at GC
2010 GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSION
ATLANTA, GEORIGIA
OU was well represented at
the 59th General Conference
Session in Atlanta, Ga.,
(June 23-July 3, 2010).
Our booth (#949), prominently
located in the exhibit hall, was
visited by thousands of people
over the course of the 10-day
session. The Aeolians
ministered to an audience
of over 50,000 in the packed
Georgia Dome. Oakwood’s
president Dr. Delbert W. Baker
was elected to serve as a vice
president of the Seventh-day
Adventist World Church.
See you in 2015!
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 11

Oakwood University
Bids the Bakers
By Michele Solomon
Goodbye
akwood University bid its 10th
president, Delbert W. Baker,
Ph.D., goodbye at a special farewell
program held July 31, 2010, at the
Oakwood University Seventh-day Adventist
Church. The program, emceed
by Timothy McDonald, Ed.D., vice
president for Advancement and Development
at Oakwood, took place in
the church sanctuary. A reception for
faculty, staff, students, and community
well-wisheres followed at the Blake
Center Student Dining Hall.
The Bakers received numerous
awards, gift certificates, and commendations,
including the Key to the City
from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle,
and a special resolution presented by
City Councilman Richard Showers. A
large number of Oakwood administrators,
faculty, staff, students and OU
Board members, Huntsville education,
business, and government representatives,
family and community members
joined the Bakers and their family as
they made their departure.
Dr. Baker, who has served as
president of Oakwood University for
the past 14 years, was nominated by a
246-member Nominating Committee
at the 59th General Conference Session
of Seventh-day Adventists, held
at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga.,
last summer. As the governing body
of the Seventh-day Adventist Church,
the General Conference appoints nine
general vice presidents to serve the
global church, each overseeing an assigned
national and international region.
Baker’s new appointment took
place on Sunday, June 27, 2010.
During the reception, Oakwood’s
outgoing president passed the baton to
Mervyn Warren, Ph.D., with an official
sounding of the gong. Warren had
been voted interim president in Atlanta
on July 2, 2010, in the final week
of the General Conference Session.
Warren has served as the University’s
provost and senior vice president during
Baker’s administration. Over the
past four decades, he has held numerous
other administrative positions at
OU, including Chairman of Religion
and Theology, general vice president
for Instruction and Student Services,
and assistant to the president. A graduate
of Oakwood, he has also served as
professor in the Religion and Theology
Department. He is married to Barbara
(née Moseley), a retired member of the
Oakwood faculty. Their three adult
children (Mervyn, Karis, and Shana)
are all products of Christian education
at Oakwood, from elementary school
through college.
12 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

Drs. Delbert and Susan Baker receive one of
several gifts of appreciation at a special farewell
program held in their honor July 31, 2010.
Dr. Baker assumed his new position at the
General Conference, headquartered in Silver
Spring, Maryland in September of 2010, serving
the 16.3-million member Global Church.
During his OU administrative watch, Baker facilitated
progress in various areas, including peak
enrollment, maintaining a strong financial base
for the institution, completing numerous major
facilities on campus, and leading out in record
fundraising. Oakwood achieved university status
and began offering graduate degrees (in 2008).
In a brief interview with Dr. Baker, he credited
success to providence, his wife, Susan, an excellent
team of administrators, faculty, and staff, the
Board of Trustees, and to the gracious support of
alumni and friends. Dr. Susan Baker, a licensed
physical therapist, served as an associate professor
and director of the Allied Health Program in
the Chemistry Department at Oakwood University
from 2002 to 2010.
Dr. Delbert W. Baker is named one of nine general vice presidents of the
General Conference on June 27, 2010 during the 59th General Conference
Session, held in Atlanta, Ga.
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 13

Oakwood
Campus
Construction
The Clara Peterson-Rock Museum: In
recognition of Mrs. Rock’s years of service
as the institution’s first archivist, the
newly-renovated Museum opened on
October 6, 2010. Mrs. Rock began the
Archives and Museum in 1973, to display
historic photographs, artifacts, memorabilia
of the school’s past, and historic
gifts to the school. Historic records are
housed in the Archives. (Above)
14 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

E.C. Ward Way and Parking Facility: Oakwood
ing
Facility, dedicated on October 22, 2010, to the
memory of the late Elder Eric C. Ward, who was
(Bottom left)
Oakwood Memorial Gardens Crosses: As part of
of Oakwood Memorial Gardens, a Cross Garden
Harold Cleveland and his ministry in the Seventh-
-
(Bottom center)
is to be commended for its selfless dedication to main-
The Lawrence Jacobs Silos Plaza: The family of
Oakwood for the renovation of the historic silos
beginnings. The Jacobs Historic Silos Plaza was
(Bottom right)
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 15

16 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

Approximately 312 seniors participated in commencement exercises May 6-8, 2010. Among them were husband and
wife duo Pastor Isaac Ibarra, Sr., and Damarys Lozada-Ibarra, a former Oakwood employee in Student Accounts.
Speakers, Pastor Andrea Trusty-King, Pastor Charles Wesley Knight, and Jamaica, West Indies, Governor General Sir
Patrick Allen, advised and motivated the graduates. One highlight of the commencement ceremony was the awarding of
an honorary doctorate to Mrs. Inez Lang Booth, a pillar of Oakwood’s music and jail band legacy. The photos here show
the pride, joy, and good memories of the occasion. Congratulations to the senior class of 2010!
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 17

Alumni News
Young Alumna Serves
at Florida Hospital
Jacquelyn Doggette, who graduated
from Oakwood University in
2009 with a B.A. in Communication
and a concentration in Photojournalism,
currently serves as a
Marketing Coordinator at Florida
Hospital Altamonte. Florida Hospital
is operated by the Seventh-day
Adventist Church and is a major
tertiary referral hospital for Central
Florida, much of the Southeastern
United States, the Caribbean, and
South America. Of the 18 hospitals
throughout Florida, Florida Hospital
Altamonte, established in 1973,
is Florida Hospital’s first and largest
satellite campus and continues to be
the leading healthcare provider for
Seminole County.
Doggette is responsible for marketing and all internal communication at Florida
Hospital Altamonte. She maintains and elevates community relations through
the media and community events. Writing/directing internal and external video
projects, finalizing ad concepts and campaigns, copywriting for web and collateral,
and internal website management are just a few of the projects on this Oakwood
alumna’s plate. She constantly seeks to contribute to the Florida Hospital
mission of “extending the healing ministry of Christ.”
In addition to her position as a Marketing Coordinator, Doggette is a nationally
recognized photographer. Her fine art photography can be found in one of the
art galleries of Central Florida and in Best of College Photography 2009. It is
also featured on www.jdperspective.com.
Jacquelyn Doggette’s passion for life stems from her relationship with God, her
love for family, and her personal goal to embody Mark 12:30, 31. She is a third
generation “Oakwoodite.”
Oakwood Alumna
Honored in
Ladies Home
Journal
Dr. Marlo Hodnett (formerly Marlo Murray-
Jackson) graduated from Oakwood University
in 2000 and continued her education at Loma
Linda University School of Medicine, receiving
her M.D. degree in 2004. She completed
her Internal Medicine residency in Knoxville,
Tennessee, and now has her own practice,
Abundant Life Medical Care, in Huntsville,
Alabama. Dr. Hodnett was recently featured
in the March 8, 2011, issue of Ladies Home
Journal. In honor of International Women’s
Day on March 8, Ladies Home Journal saluted
amazing American women who are helping
change lives around the world. The following
is quoted from the article “Global Citizens,” by
Amanda Wolfe.
Since her college years, Dr. Hodnett has traveled
the world to volunteer with the National
Association for the Prevention of Starvation
(NAPS). She has helped feed children, build
schools, and provide much-needed care to
families in Guyana, Madagascar, Malawi, and
other countries. “On those first trips I realized
that I wanted to go to medical school so
that I could dedicate my life to helping these
people,” says Dr. Hodnett. She now has a
private practice in Alabama, but devotes each
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to providing free
treatment to migrant workers and people living
in extreme poverty in southern Alabama and
Mississippi.
18 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

Got News?
Social Work Graduate Recognized
for Excellence in Teaching
The Department of Social Work is proud to recognize Dr. Ann-Marie Buchanan
Jones, a 1995 Social Work graduate of Oakwood University who was awarded the
Daniel A. Augsburger Excellence in Teaching Award by Andrews University on
March 2, 2011. The award “recognizes faculty whose teaching reflects the high standards
of excellence modeled by Dr. Augsburger in his 60 years of teaching at Andrews
University. Augsburger’s leadership, academic rigor, breadth of knowledge,
teacher-scholar role, along with care and concern for students, exemplify the best of
faculty endeavors.” (Keri Suarez, Andrews University)
Dr. Jones was chosen by the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences at Andrews
University where she currently serves as the Undergraduate Program Director for
the School of Social Work.
OU Faculty Member
Places in Defense
Acquisition University
Competition
Congratulations to Dr. Everett
Roper (Business & Information
Systems Department) who’s
paper entitled, “MOVING
TOWARDS IMPROVED
ACQUISITION OUTCOMES:
The interrelationships between
organization culture, management
leadership style, employee commitment and
organizational outcomes” has been selected as runnerup
in the 2010 Defense Acquisition University AA
Research Paper Competition. Dr. Roper’s research
paper will appear in the April edition of the Defense
Acquisition Research Journal which will be distributed
to the US Department of Defense community. Dr.
Roper has been invited to present his research at the
DAU Acquisition Community Symposium in April
where he will also receive a cash award.
OU Alum Appointed to Florida
Public Service Commission
Ronald Brisé of North Miami, an
Oakwood alumnus (Class of ‘99) and
Florida State Representative, District
108, has been appointed as one of the
Commissioners on the Florida Public
Service Commission (PSC), and the
state’s first PSC member of Haitian-
American descent. As a Public Service
Commissioner, Brisé along with other commissioners will be
responsible for the oversight of basic services such as electricity,
gas, telecommunications and water and the companies that
provide these services to assure that they remain operable and
affordable for consumers.
After graduating from Oakwood College with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Biology Education in 1999, Brisé and taught
at Miami Union Academy for five years. He then went on
to earn two MBA degrees in Marketing and Management
from American Intercontinental University. Brisé is a faithful
member and an elder of the Tabernacle SDA Church, and is a
member of several professional and civic organizations. He is
married to Jo An Solomon Brisé, a registered nurse, and they
are proud parents of their son Ronald Brisé II.
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 19

Oakwood LEAP Educates
By Rachel Williams-Smith, Ph.D.
When you think “Oakwood University,” you probably don’t think “ low
tuition” or “online class sessions.” You certainly don’t think of forgiveness
for an old Oakwood bill! When you think of Oakwood students, you
probably don’t picture a 45-year old grandmother living and working
in Georgia, or adults in the Huntsville community members pursuing a
flexible, shortened path to a four-year college degree.
That’s because the LEAP (Leadership Education for the Adult
Professional) Adult Degree Completion Program is, by far,
Oakwood University’s best-kept secret! Even if you have heard
of it, some things about the program might surprise you.
For example, most people don’t seem to know that someone
who has an old bill with Oakwood can have it forgiven
by going through the LEAP program. Or that the LEAP
tuition is half the cost of Oakwood’s regular tuition—it’s
more in line with what one might expect to pay at a four-year
state institution. They also don’t know that they can receive
academic credits for their learning from life experience. And
some people don’t even know that they can take courses while
living at a distance because of our flexible delivery, which
includes online options. Finally, some do not realize that they
can complete their college degree in as little as 18 months if
they enter the program with at least two years of earned credit.
Sometimes they can do it in even less time than that, especially
if they are former Oakwood students.
Of course, that rarely happens (so far, only one other time),
but the point is that inquirers are often surprised at how
quickly and simply they can move forward with LEAP.
The Challenge of Going Back to School
When adults try to go back to school, they
typically find that
toward a new degree.
One young man worried for three years after he left Oakwood
about how to finish college. Then someone told him about
LEAP. The next morning, he drove straight from Nashville to
the office at 4920 University Square in Huntsville. He filled
out an application while an advisor reviewed his academic
record. In a short time, she handed him an application for
graduation. Though he had been unaware, he had already
completed all requirements for a degree in General Studies. So
after three years of agonizing over what to do, he was in and
out of LEAP in 30 minutes!
or night a week even when taking a
single course.
time enrollment.
obligations to attend school full-time.
with an online degree program.
20 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

Adults . . . and Forgives
About LEAP
Oakwood University’s LEAP program is designed to enable
working adults, age 25 and above, who have earned a year or
more of college-level credits, to complete a bachelor’s degree
without having to take off from work or life obligations to do
so. Upon applying, prospective students find that old credits
are still usable, and that unrelated credits can be used as
electives to move the student closer to graduation. They find
that most trade school and military credits are also accepted.
Students enroll full time and so are able to apply for financial
aid. However, instead of taking their courses concurrently
as is typically done, they take them sequentially, allowing
them to focus on one course at a time and attend class only
one night per week or partially online. Thus, they are able
to maintain work and family obligations. Furthermore,
students are able to do much of their coursework online
which gives them considerable flexibility, and students
living at considerable distances are able to make additional
arrangements based on their individual circumstances.
Finally, these adult students learn with other adults with
whom they start and finish the program.
Changes and Growth
The Oakwood LEAP program was started in 1994 as an
innovative and forward-looking community outreach arm
of the school. LEAP is beginning to live up to its name—
catapulting forward at a high rate of speed! In the past two
years, enrollment has jumped from 24 to 153 students,
and the program now offers five degrees: Organizational
Management (Business), Psychology, General Studies,
Information Technology, and Church Leadership.
In the future, LEAP will continue to grow, likely offering
additional degrees. Recently, an Information Technology
certification program was adopted by the program as the first
of several future non-degree credit and certification options
to come.
For more information about LEAP and its offerings, visit the
website at www.oakwoodleap.com.
Marquis Johns,
Church Leadership,
Graduating Senior.
Zulekia Stewart,
Organizational Management,
Graduating Senior.
“Most people don’t seem
to know that someone
who has an old bill with
Oakwood can have it
forgiven by going
through the LEAP
program.”
Dr. Rachel Williams-Smith serves as
director of the Adult & Continuing Education
Department at Oakwood University.
LEAP students are
working adults, age 25
and above.
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 21

Oakwood Musicians
Take Top Honors
Aeolians
By Michele Solomon
Oakwood University’s Music Department, traditionally
known for turning out promising vocalists, has had a powerful
representation in national music competitions during the
2010-2011 academic year, successfully vying against some
tough contenders.
The university’s signature choral ensemble, the Aeolians,
took top honors in the 2010 iSing College Choir Scholarship
Challenge. The choir, directed by music professor Jason Max
Ferdinand, has performed both nationally and internationally
and was one of four choirs from Historically Black Colleges
and Universities (HBCUs) to have been invited to compete in
the finals held last November at Reid Temple AME Church in
Glenn Dale, Md. Winners of the competition are considered
the top vocal ensembles representing America’s HBCUs.
The Aeolians took the stage performing “My Soul’s Been Anchored”—an
arrangement full of diverse rhythms, challenging
harmonies, and musical nuances—as their first selection. This
initial selection featured student soprano soloist Whitney
Morrison, a vocal performance and pedagogy student who
took home $1,000 in first-prize award money when she
surpassed some 250 other contestants at the 2010 National
Classical Singer University Competition held in New York
last June. (Morrison’s accomplishment was mentioned by The
Huntsville Times staff writer Paul Gattis on the front page of
the September 23, 2010 edition, and was featured online at
www.al.com.)
Still more astounding was the choir’s second piece—the Aeolians’
adaptation of “Jerusalem”—which incorporates melody
lines from Kirk Franklin’s “Hosanna.” And as if the first
arrangement hadn’t required enough vocal calisthenics, the
second selection included massive instrumental support that
suddenly dropped out, leaving the voices sustained by their
own vocal percussion, impressively syncopated by the men’s
section. The winning performance brought with it a $5,000
first-place award for the Aeolians.
The choir was also featured last June at the 59th General Conference
Session in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, the ensemble
went on to perform at the opening session of the 2010 Pastoral
Evangelism and Leadership Conference, which took place at
the Oakwood University Seventh-day Adventist Church last
December.
The Aeolians received even greater exposure just a few weeks
ago, when their live recording was filmed at the Oakwood University
Church during the GC Spring Council 2011, which
was hosted on Oakwood’s campus. Hope Channel uplinked
a live broadcast of the Friday evening, Sabbath, and vespers
services and aired the events on Hope Channel, Hope Channel
Europe, and Hope Channel International to an audience believed
to have been in the hundreds of millions. The broadcasts
were a joint production of Oakwood University, the General
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and Hope Channel.
22 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

Whitney Morrison
In May of 2010, Whitney Morrison, a vocal performance and gogy student of the Oakwood music department, won First Place in
pedathe
National Classical Singer University Competition. Morrison, a
voice student of faculty member Julie Moore Foster, qualified with
two other semi-finalists, Laurie Gardiner and Tamara Richards, also
Oakwood students.
The Competition was held at New York City’s Marriott Marquis, in
Times Square. Morrison progressed through a total of three semifinal
rounds, where she performed the winning aria, “Se il ciel mi
divide,” from Alessandro nelle Idie,by Niccolo Piccinni. Her repertoire
also included “At Saint Patrick’s Purgatory,” from the Hermit
Songs of Samuel Barber.
Committed Wins!
Last December, ten groups from across the country, including
six young “Oakwoodites” known by the name, “Committed,”
competed in the second season of NBC’s The Sing-Off. On
December 20, these talented young men won the grand prize
of a Sony Music recording contract and $100,000.
It was all over the local news and social media networks that
“Committed, the new a cappella singing sensation, [had]
taken the championship title on NBC’s The Sing-Off.” Local
television station WAFF-TV Channel 48 carried the story on
its 10 o’clock newscast, and The Huntsville Times front page
headline read, “COMMITTED WINS! Huntsville a cappella
group takes title on NBC’s ‘The Sing-Off.’”
The group took the championship at NBC’s vocal competition,
advancing through each episode by winning the approval
of the judges, who determined the songs they should perform.
Though accustomed to performing religious selections, the
group persevered through less familiar musical genres to demonstrate
the diversity of their vocal range, something the NBC
competition watched for keenly. The judges left the final vote
to the American public, though, soliciting fan votes that came
in by phone calls, text messages, and the internet polling.
Though the group’s members have changed since some high
school boys got together to kick around a few tunes at Forest
Lake Academy back in Central Florida, the members’ commitment
to God has been a constant. Since then, all six of the
current members— Dennis Baptiste, Tommy Gervais, Geston
Pierre, Robbie Pressley, Maurice Staple, and Therry Thomas—
have attended Oakwood at some point in time, while one,
Gervais, is still enrolled and working on an undergraduate degree
in music composition. At least two members of Committed
have also sung with the Aeolians while attending Oakwood
University and one member is also an alumnus of Oakwood
Adventist Academy.
Dr. Cedric Dent is credited with having recommended Committed
to NBC when producers were looking for acts for The
Sing-Off ’s second season, despite the fact that casting had
already closed. Dent is a member of the Grammy Award winning
group Take 6, which, like Committed, began at Oakwood
University. He had heard the aspiring musicians sing a medley
of Take 6 songs at the United Christian Artist Association’s
Music Legends Ball in 2008 and was blown away by how accurately
Committed executed the Take 6 a cappella sound.
Take 6 and Committed will appear on the program of the
33rd Annual UNCF Gala hosted by Oakwood during Alumni
Homecoming Weekend 2011.
Oakwood University praises God for the privilege of having
nurtured the musical abilities of several vocal ensembles
throughout the years and is happy to have had a part in the
shaping of these young vocalists’ talents. The university congratulates
the dedicated faculty and staff who have nurtured
the musical abilities of these groups and charges these gifted
musicians to remember always to place God first as they continue
their singing ministry.
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 23

In Memoriam
Our hearts go out to the families of:
Berhe, Tekle –
brother of Moges Selassie, Business & Information Systems
Butler, Sr., Xavier –
former faculty member, Religion & Theology
Clay, Louise –
mother-in-law of Trevor Fraser, Religion & Theology; mother of
Edith Fraser, former faculty member
Gibbs, Lucille –
mother of Pastor Craig Newborn
Hamer, Dr. Justin –
former chemistry professor
Humphrey, Sr., Edwin J. –
retired pastor and conference administrator
Jessup, Ruth Daniels –
mother of OU Board Member Clifton Jessup
Lee, Young See –
father of George Lee, Eva. B. Dykes Library
May, Doris -
mother of Chuck May, Administrative Systems
McKinney, Jr., Oliver J. –
Southern Union Conference administrator
Roper, Gregory –
brother of Everett Roper, Business & Information Systems
Scott, Leo –
brother of Lionel Scott, Physical Plant
Sherrod, Jon-Paul Henri –
son of Wanda Lott, Enrollment Management
Smith, Tanisha –
Oakwood student
Taylor, Herbert –
father of Charles Taylor, Campus Communications
Tucker, Jacqueline -
mother of LaTanja Banks, Financial Aid
Booth, Inez - former chairman
of the Music Department; Jail
Band ministry leader
Davis, Ruth Faye –
former chairman of the Family &
Consumer Sciences Department
Dudley, Sr., Charles E. –
former Board of Trustees member,
conference president
This listing represents the loved ones of the Oakwood
“family” who have passed away and whose names we
have received as of the date of publication. We thank God
for the blessing of allowing us to know them. To all other
members of the Oakwood family who have lost loved
ones, we apologize if any names have been omitted.
24 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

Where Honor is Due...
During its annual Spring Session, the Board of Trustees, along with the Administration
of Oakwood University, recognize those individuals who have served at “The Oaks” for
20 years or more, as well as those who are on the verge of retirement. After serving at
Oakwood University (and sometimes other institutions), the following individuals
either already have, or are planning, to retire in 2010-2011:
Flore Aubry-Hamilton
Nigel Barham
Isadore DeSouza
Yvonne Donatto
Lorna Harrison
Belvia Matthews
Savonia McClellan
Juanita McClendon
Faith McKeiver
Ella Olive
Charles Taylor
Eaton Tomlin
Charles Turner
Carole Washington
The individuals, listed below, who have served at Oakwood for 20 years or more are to be
congratulated for their commitment to servant leadership and excellence in education.
Joseph Dailey
Cecily Daly
Isadore DeSouza
Edith Fraser
Sylvia Germany
Lillian Green
Kyna Hinson
Regina Jacob
Henrietta Lathon
Rise Lowery
Charles May
Anthony Paul
Sonia Paul
Fred Pullins
Agniel Samson
Paula Wilson
This section is compiled by Debbe Millet, who serves as Communication Services Coordinator for
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 25

CAMPUS BUSINESS
Nursing Program Receives Continuing
Accreditation Through 2018
The Board of Commissioners of the National League for Nursing
Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) has granted the Oakwood
University Department of Nursing’s baccalaureate nursing program
continuing accreditation. The next evaluation visit will take place in
spring of 2018.
A self-study report for continuing accreditation was prepared by Dr.
Carol Easley Allen, chairperson of the Department of Nursing, with
input from the faculty. This report was then submitted to NLNAC
in January of 2010. Three program evaluators from NLNAC visited
the campus on March 2 through 4 to conduct the site visit. The
evaluators observed classroom teaching, clinical sites, departmental
and institutional resources, and reviewed a number of supporting
documents. They also met with university administrators, academic
and student support personnel, the department chair, faculty, and
students, and community members, among others.
In order to reach their decision, the NLNAC commissioners
considered the self-study report and supporting documents,
the university catalog, the site visitors’ report, and recommendations
from the evaluation review panel that met earlier in the
summer. Dr. Allen serves as an NLNAC Commissioner, but of
course, could not participate in the discussion or the decisionmaking
process.
The NLNAC Board of Commissioners identified the following
strengths in the nursing program:
of the University and the nursing program, which emphasizes
spirituality and service to mankind.
education and benefit the community.
Oakwood Approved as Combined
Federal Campaign (CFC) Participant
The Office of Personnel Management approved Oakwood University’s
participation in the Combined Federal Campaign (September
1 through December 15). Oakwood’s participation was a collaborative
effort of the OU Office of Financial Affairs and the Development
Office. The CFC is a wonderful avenue through which OU
alumni who are federal employees can give to Oakwood. The kickoff
event took place on September 29, 2010, at the Redstone Arsenal,
where Oakwood was represented at a booth.
The mission of the CFC is to promote and support philanthropy
through a program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient, and effective
in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve
the quality of life for all. CFC is the world’s largest and most
successful annual workplace charity campaign, with more than 300
CFC campaigns throughout the country and internationally to help
raise millions of dollars each year. Pledges made by Federal civilian,
postal and military donors during the campaign season (September
1 to December 15) support eligible non-profit organizations that
provide health and human service benefits throughout the world.
Read more about this opportunity at http://www.opm.gov/cfc, a
website of interest to anyone interested in workplace giving. It is
tailored to meet the particular needs of the Federal donor, CFC
Campaigns, and charities participating in or considering participation
in the CFC.
Cheri Wilson is the Director of Development at Oakwood
University.
26 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

Oakwood’s Relationship with
NASA/SAIC Continues
(NICS) contract worth up to $1.3
billion to Science Applications International
Corp. (SAIC) of McLean,
Virginia. The work will include support
for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight
Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
By Marcia Burnette
On October 28, 2010, NASA awarded
the Enterprise Applications Service
Technologies (EAST) contract to
SAIC. As a subcontractor, Oakwood
had to submit a proposal to NASA
through SAIC.
With much prayer, diligence and hard
work, Oakwood’s proposal was accepted!
Under the contract, SAIC will be
responsible for providing all services
necessary to operate and maintain
NASA’s set of integrated enterprise
application systems supporting all ten
NASA field centers. Oakwood will
benefit by the placement of student
interns, and will have the opportunity
to hire employees and consultants
through the contract.
There will be a two-year base period,
followed by one two-year option and
one one-year option that may be exercised
at NASA’s discretion. It is a firmfixed
price contract, with an indefinite
delivery and indefinite quantity (ID/
IQ) feature. The base award of this
contract is $85.6 million. If all options
are exercised, the maximum potential
value of the contract, including the
maximum ID/IQ value, is $321.2 million!
Under the base award, Oakwood
will see a profit of more than $5 million
dollars! This contract went into effect
on February 1, 2011.
Further, NASA announced on March
25, 2011 that it is awarding the NASA
Integrated Communications Services
SAIC will provide managerial and
technical support to NASA’s Chief
Information Officer for corporate and
missions communications, including
local area network management at all
NASA centers. The contract is part of
NASA’s ongoing IT infrastructure integration
program known as I3P.
Again, as a sub-contractor to SAIC,
Oakwood University will benefit substantially
through student internships,
employees and multi-million dollars in
revenue to the institution.
The contract is cost-plus-award-fee/
incentive-fee. The base award is $340
million. If all options are exercised, it is
worth $1.3 billion.
Marcia Burnette is Assistant VP for
Advancement and Development and
Director of Sponsored Programs.
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 27

“There She Is...”
Breanda Mulzac was crowned Miss Oakwood 2011-2012
at the Miss Oakwood pageant held March 27, 2011.
Breanda Mulzac was crowned Miss Oakwood 2011-
2012, at the conclusion of the Miss Oakwood pageant
held on March 27, in the Trinity United Methodist
Church New Room Auditorium. Breanda is from St.
Joseph, Michigan, and is a junior nursing major, graduating
in May 2012. She envisions a campaign to restore the
purity of Oakwood University and plans to coordinate
seminars to educate and bring views and mindsets higher.
“Oakwood’s Next Top Woman” was the theme of the
event, which was selected with the intention to encourage
all Oakwood ladies to embrace high moral standards and
represent the values set by our Christian institution. Six
young ladies participated in the program with poise, confidence
and elegance. The Miss Oakwood Pageant seeks
to identify, develop, and promote leadership within the
Oakwood University community among Christian, college-aged
women. The pageant’s goals are preceded by
several months of seminars on proper business decorum,
public speaking, table etiquette and resume writing, and
roundtable discussions on topics concerning current
issues facing Oakwood students and women, in general.
As is expected in pageantry, contestants had to endure
extensive rehearsals.
When a contestant pursues the “Miss Oakwood” title,
she is indicating that she is becoming a strong, vibrant,
spiritually-minded, intelligent, progressive-thinking,
independent and intelligent woman who cares for the
well-being of both herself and others. She is a role model
in her church, her college community, and the community,
at large. Miss Oakwood is willing to assertively address
the challenges of today, while effectively reaching
towards her goals for tomorrow.
Raymond King, III serves as the director of Student
Activities at Oakwood University.
Miss Oakwood
2011-2012 Miss UNCF
2010-2011
By Raymond King III
By Barbara Stovall
At a small event that has been called “elegant and
classy,” Imani Penn, a Pre-Law senior, was crowned
as Oakwood University’s Miss UNCF 2011-2012.
Approximately 34 people, including family, friends,
members of the Advancement and Development Division,
and then-President-elect Leslie Pollard, attended
the coronation of Miss UNCF on December 5, 2010,
at the McKee Business and Technology Complex.
As the reigning Miss UNCF, Imani will serve as a
member of the Pre-Alumni Advisory Board, attend
UNCF fundraising events in Birmingham and Huntsville,
and make local media appearances as allowed by
her academic schedule. Miss UNCF also represents
28 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

aise funds for UNCF scholarships. Dr. Pollard announced
the 1st Runner-Up, Diane Douglas, who had
raised over $2,500. She was crowned and presented a
bouquet of roses. Dr. Pollard then announced that Imani
Penn would be crowned Miss UNCF 2010-201, having
raised close to $3,000 for scholarships.
Barbara Stovall, Diane Douglas, Dr. Leslie Pollard, Imani Penn (l-r).
Oakwood University at the annual conference organized by
the National Alumni and National Pre-Alumni Council of
the UNCF. This year’s Pre-Alumni Conference took place in
Birmingham, Alabama, from February 2 through 6.
Although the two contestants are both beautiful young
women, the Miss UNCF competition is based on far more
than mere outward appearance. Candidates indicate their
commitment to educational excellence, and are required to
A special thanks goes to the Pre-Alumni Council Advisor;
the OU Pre-Alumni Council members; Sodexo
Dining Services; In Bloom; Gigi’s Cupcakes; Party
Plus; Shannan Moore Malone (event planner); Mariana
Stovall (photography); the OU Advancement & Development
team; Drs. Leslie and Prudence Pollard , for
their participation, presence and support; and everyone
who helped make the evening possible. Applications are
now being accepted for the 2011-2012 school year.
Barbara Stovall is the director of Alumni Relations at
Oakwood University.
OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY TRUST SERVICES DEPARTMENT
7000 Adventist Blvd., NW, Huntsville, Alabama 35896; (256) 726-7446
Fred Pullins, Director; Carol Moore, Associate
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 29

Devotional
Vision 20/20
By Leslie N. Pollard, Ph.D, D.Min., MBA
30 OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 www.oakwood.edu

“Oakwood graduates of the 21st century receive a
quality education that prepares them for top-tier
professional or graduate schools.”
Let’s envision what Oakwood University will look like a
decade from now. What do we see? In 2020, Oakwood
University is considered a premier University in the Huntsville
Community and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. With
a vibrant student population of 3500 students, Oakwood
remains a preferred faith-based provider of excellence in education.
A consortium of African-American, Afro-Caribbean,
Afro-Latino, and Continental African Universities complements
DEEP (Diversity Educational Exchange Program) with
DEFT (Diversity Exchange for Faculty Teaching). Oakwood’s
faculty spend their summers in research, teaching in distant
locations. But it began with active affiliations and articulation
agreements among our sister universities. By 2020, as part of
faculty development, our Pan-African Consortium of Colleges
and Universities, with its DEFT program, allows Oakwood’s
superbly trained faculty to teach at sister institutions in
Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Kenya, Nigeria, Costa
Rica, Panama, Honduras, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The growth of the academic program includes an MBA in
business leadership, a Master’s in Teaching, a Master’s Degree
in Education with its celebrated emphasis in Faith-based
Pedagogy, and a Doctor of Ministry in Urban Mission. By
2020, OOU is launched Oakwood Online University. By
2020, we have OOU cohorts in China, India, Africa, and
the Caribbean. By 2020, our committed and accomplished
faculty contribute to the effective growth of non-traditional
revenue streams and enjoy decompressed salaries while serving
at mission-focused Oakwood University. The lower-expense
revenue from Oakwood Online University helps grow the
amount of institutional aid to needy students in our residential
program. By 2020, OU’s Centers, Institutes, and Schools are
flourishing as grant funding for targeted social science and
scientific research on under-served populations reflect our
continued transition from Oakwood College to Oakwood
University. And by 2020, Oakwood partners with Huntsville’s
under- privileged populations through our OU Office of Community
Partnerships.
Customer service is a high-quality experience for our students
and their parents. By 2020, the finances of Oakwood University,
with its growing endowments and portfolio of diversified
investments, adequately fund operations and minimize our
need for routine tuition increases. Market-normed salaries
assist in the recruitment of high performing, sacrificial employees.
Staff development is also crucial to a quality university.
Front-line service delivery reflects excellence to our students
and constituents. By 2020, Oakwood wins the prestigious
“Best Workplace in Huntsville” award. Faculty and staff work
together seamlessly. By 2020, Oakwood is nationally regarded for
quality in its services, quality in its delivery of learning, quality in
its faculty’s scholarly products, quality in operations, and quality
in its students. We will affirm and acknowledge our diverse community.
In 2020, Oakwood is acknowledged as a robustly diverse
institution. By 2020, our diversity, in all its richness, will be seen
as a resource of strength, organized and mobilized around our
mission. We will maintain the historic mission of our founders
but grow our mission to diverse communities.
This vision leads us to serve our students with renewed purpose
and passion. Oakwood graduates of the 21st century receive a
quality education that prepares them for top-tier professional or
graduate schools. The spiritual atmosphere and culture at Oakwood
engages every student in mission to communities. Intentionality
around the spiritual formation of OU students is evident
in every area of the campus. Every class within the curriculum
reflects the integration of faith and learning. Technology supports
a culture of highly interactive learning. Weeks of Prayer run at
noon for faculty and staff and nightly for Oakwood University
students. Our male and female Associate Chaplains provide dormitory
visitation, spiritual support counseling, group Bible studies
and high-quality programming, on-campus. Focus on faculty and
staff spiritual development is provided by our Senior Chaplain.
Administrators, faculty, and staff are schooled in how to lead
students into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Oakwood
Online University students attend weekly chapels through our
OU Chapel Webcast of chapel services. Oakwood University in
the next decade produces enthusiastic graduates who gladly join
and support their local alumni chapters. OU students are motivated
to reach back and help the generation that follows them.
Finally, I close with a brief quote from one of my favorite
poets, Pablo Neruda, who wrote, “They can cut all the flowers,
but they cannot stop the coming of the spring!” Oakwood
University’s spring is on the way. We are one decade
into the 21st century, already. Oakwood is a young university
with a world of possibilities before it. In this season,
opportunities to spread our wings, locally, nationally, and
internationally are all around us. But no one will give us
anything. In the words of Martin Luther, ‘we must work, as if
prayer meant nothing. And we must pray, as if work meant
nothing’. Under God’s providence, the future is ours!”
Leslie N. Pollard serves as the President of Oakwood University.
www.oakwood.edu OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY | SPRING 2011 31

Success is calling.
EDUCATION | EXCELLENCE | ETERNITY
Oakwood University
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
www.oakwood.edu